Gimmicks, Fads, And Trends Don't Make A Great Restaurant

The best indicator of a great restaurant is great food. Don't fall for the hype of over-decorated or over-hyped locations.

What makes a great restaurant? Is it a flashy exterior and linen napkins? Is it a wall plastered with a collage of license plates and taxidermy artwork? Or is it great food, reasonable prices, and excellent service? Well, if you want the best pizza or hamburger in town, what's hanging on the wall or how your carrots are arranged will make little difference. There is more to a meal than cloth napkins or loud music. If you want the best the next time you're traveling or simply seeking something new local, here are some types of places you might like to avoid.

Gimmicks:
Flip open any travel guide and you'll likely see rave reviews about the restaurant with the live alligator tank or kilt-wearing servers. Gimmicks catch people's attentions and bring in customers, but how often do these people return? Sure, it may sound fun to spend an evening singing karaoke with the strangers at the table next to you, or having the chef flip hot shrimp into your mouth straight off the grill, but does that make for a good dinner? Most gimmick-based experiences fall flat after the first few minutes and initial excitement. In fact, many of them can be downright annoying with overenthusiastic waiters pushing specials or forcing you to participate in asinine displays of "fun." So unless you're more interested in riding that electronic bull than you are about actually having a memorable meal, then by all means go the gimmick route.

Flash:
It seems to be the trend that all food be piled in intricate pyramids with a single asparagus stalk artfully angled across the top and sauce drizzled just so over the border of the plate. It's pretty-sort of, and definitely pricey, but just because you can't pronounce the name and it's precariously balanced, does that make it delicious? A flash restaurant certainly has a better chance of delivering the goods if it has received some recognition from food critics or the locals. However, you can find equal quality without the hefty price tag and contemporary presentation.

Family:
Nothing is more loathed among foodies than the pure-family style restaurant. These places serve up massive portions for sharing (excluding couples and the single diner from enjoying their meals without having to schlep away a greasy doggy bag) and often have every inch of wall space covered with some sort of hilarious news paper clipping or animal head wearing sunglasses. The kids will love it and there is sure to be traditional favorites on the menu such as lasagna and onion rings the size of your hea -- but you'll be missing the peaceful atmosphere and rich sensory experience of a great diner or café.

So how do you find a great new restaurant to try? One tip is to ask locals and look for the place that is packed with them. When in their element, people naturally gravitate towards their favorites. Also, if a place is busy even on a weekday -- there is probably a good reason. Critics and newspapers may have some good advice, but aren't always accurate and sometimes skip over smaller or less well-known locations that might be diamonds on the rough.

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